Wegovy for Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence, Eligibility, Coverage
Wegovy is not FDA approved for type 2 diabetes. It is approved for weight loss, heart risk and MASH liver disease. Ozempic and Rybelsus, with the same ingredient, are approved for type 2 diabetes. In STEP 2, people on Wegovy lost 9.6% of body weight on average, vs 3.4% on placebo.
- For type 2 diabetes
- Not an approved use
- Active ingredient
- semaglutide
- How it is taken
- weekly injection or daily tablet
- Best result (STEP 2)
- 9.6% weight loss
Wegovy overview
Its half-life is about 1 week: after 7 d, half remains, and five half-lives (35 d) leave about 3%.
After 68 weeks, STEP 1 showed 14.9% of body weight, compared with 2.4% on placebo.
Monthly US dollar price points include the list price and self-pay offers. Each comes from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, prnewswire.com 1 2.
Who qualifies?
| Source | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death becomes less likely in adults with heart disease who also have obesity or overweight (injection and tablets). |
| FDA label | For adults and children 12 and older with obesity, this treatment supports sustained weight loss and maintaining that loss when used with diet and activity. It also applies to adults with overweight and a weight-related condition. |
| FDA label | It treats MASH liver disease with moderate to advanced scarring but no cirrhosis in adults (injection). |
| FDA label | For adults, the tablets are approved for weight loss and lowering heart risk. |
Label source: FDA label (DailyMed) information.
Trial results for type 2 diabetes
| Trial | Medicine | Who took part | Length | People | Main result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 2 | Wegovy | Adults with type 2 diabetes who have obesity or overweight | 68 weeks | 1,210 | 9.6% weight loss | 3.4% on placebo |
Trial sources: STEP 2 (PubMed).
What differs with type 2 diabetes?
| What changes | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Hypoglycemia | Using it alongside insulin or a sulfonylurea raises the likelihood of low blood sugar. Doses of those drugs may need lowering. |
| Complications from Diabetic Retinopathy in People with Type 2 Diabetes | With type 2 diabetes, diabetic eye disease may worsen, particularly when blood sugar falls quickly. Eye checks matter if you already have it. |
| Taken with insulin or sulfonylureas | Taking it with insulin or a sulfonylurea, such as glipizide or glimepiride, makes low blood sugar more likely. Your doctor may lower those doses. |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed) information.
Label warnings: FDA label on DailyMed.
Coverage for type 2 diabetes
Medicare Part D can cover these medicines if prescribed because of diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Sources: humana.com.
- Wegovy Coupon and Savings Card
- Wegovy Cost
- Wegovy Cost Without Insurance
- Wegovy Cost With Insurance
- Cheapest Way to Get Wegovy
- Wegovy Patient Assistance
- Is Wegovy Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
- Does Medicare Cover Wegovy? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does BCBS Cover Wegovy? Coverage by State Plan, PA Rules, Appeals
Alternatives for type 2 diabetes
| Medicine | For type 2 diabetes | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ozempic | FDA approved | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Rybelsus | FDA approved | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Mounjaro | FDA approved | weekly injection | A1C down 2.3 points |
 Trulicity | FDA approved | weekly injection | A1C down 1.77 points |
 Victoza | FDA approved | daily injection | Not listed |
| Byetta | FDA approved | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
| Wegovy | Not an approved use | weekly injection or daily tablet | 9.6% weight loss |
 Zepbound | Not an approved use | weekly injection | 14.7% weight loss |
 Foundayo | Not an approved use | daily tablet | 9.6% weight loss |
 Saxenda | Not an approved use | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
Sources: FDA label on DailyMed, PubMed.
Questions for your prescriber
- Will I need to change my other diabetes medicines, particularly insulin or a sulfonylurea?
- How often do I need my eyes checked?
- Which A1C number should I aim for?
Read all of the Wegovy prescribing information on DailyMed.